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Mali
General Information
Area: 1,240,192 sq km (478,841 sq miles).
Population: 10,960,000 (1999).
Population Density: 8.8 per sq km.
Capital: Bamako. Population: 809,552 (1996).
GEOGRAPHY: Mali is a landlocked republic, sharing borders with Mauritania, Algeria, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Niger and Senegal. It is a vast land of flat plains fed by two major rivers, the Senegal on its western edge and the great River Niger. On its journey north the Niger converges with the River Bani, and forms a rich inland delta, the marshlands of the Macina, stretching for some 450km (280 miles) along the river’s length, in some places 200km (124 miles) wide. The central part of the country is arid grazing land, called the Sahel, which has suffered great drought. At Timbuktu, the Niger reaches the desert and here it turns first to the east, then to the southeast at Bourem, where it heads for the ocean. In the desert, near the Algerian and Niger borders in the northeast, the Adrar des Iforas massif rises 800m (2625ft). The north of the country is true desert except for the few oases along the ancient trans-Sahara camel routes. Tuaregs still live around these oases and camel routes. Further south live the Peulh cattle-raising nomads. The majority of the population lives in the savannah region in the south. The peoples of this region comprise Songhai, Malinke, Senoufou, Dogon and the Bambara (the largest ethnic group).
Government: Republic. Gained independence from France in 1960. Head of State: President Amadou Toumani Toure since June 2002. Head of Government: Prime Minister Mandé Sidibé since 2000.
Language: The official language is French. There are a number of local languages.
Religion: Muslim (80 per cent), with Animist (18 per cent) and Christian (1.2 per cent) minorities.
Time: GMT.
Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz in Bamako. Larger towns in Mali have their own locally-generated supply.
Communications:
Telephone
Limited IDD service. Country code: 223. Outgoing international calls must be made via the international operator. These are expensive and collect calls cannot be made from Mali.
Mobile telephone
GSM 900 networks exist. Operators include Malitel-SA (website: www.malitel.com).
Internet
Main ISPs include the national telecom operator Société du Télécommunications du Mali (Sotelma) (website: www.sotelma.ml) and four private companies MaliNet (website: www.malinet.ml), Cefib (website: www.cefib.com), Datatech (website: www.datatech.toolnet.org) and Spider (website: www.spider.toolnet.org). There is an Internet cafe in Bamako.
Post
International post is limited to main towns and the central post office. Airmail to Europe takes approximately two weeks. For further details, contact the Embassy.
Press
There are no English-language newspapers. The other dailies, including L’Essor (website: www.essor.gov.ml), Les Echos, Info Matin and Le Républicain, are published in French.
BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies: From time to time these change.
BBC (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice):
Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov):
Passport/Visa
| | Passport Required? | Visa Required? | Return Ticket Required? | | British | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Australian | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Canadian | Yes | Yes | Yes | | USA | Yes | Yes | Yes | | OtherEU | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Japanese | Yes | Yes | Yes |
PASSPORTS: Passport valid for at least six months from date of entry required by all except nationals of Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Senegal, Togo and Tunisia in possession of a valid ID card.
VISAS: Required by all except the following for stays of up to three months:
(a) nationals of the countries referred to under passport exemptions above and nationals of Cape Verde, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone;
(b) transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft within 24 hours provided holding onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport.
Types of visa and cost: Tourist, Business and Transit: €15.25.
Validity: One month from the date of entry, although visas can be extended in Mali, either in Bamako at the Immigration Service or at any police station. Visas may be obtained up to three months in advance of travelling to Mali.
Application to: Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see Contact Addresses section.
Application requirements: (a) Valid passport. (b) Two application forms (must be completed in block capitals and returned to the consulate with several photocopies of the form). (c) Two passport-size photos. (d) Stamped, self-addressed envelope for postal applications (which must be sent by registered post). (e) Fee; payable in cash, company cheque or postal order (personal cheques are not accepted). (f) For business trips, two letters of invitation from company.
Working days required: Three.
Temporary residence: Enquire at Embassy.
Money
Currency: CFA (Communauté Financiaire Africaine) Franc (CFAfr) = 100 centimes. Notes are in denominations of CFAfr10,000, 5000, 2500, 1000 and 500. Coins are in denominations of CFAfr250, 100, 50, 25, 10 and 5. Mali is part of the French Monetary Area. Only currency issued by the Banque des Etats de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (Bank of West African States) is valid; currency issued by the Banque des Etats de l’Afrique Centrale (Bank of Central African States) is not. The CFA Franc is tied to the Euro.
Currency exchange: Possible at main banks in Bamako, but this can be a slow process and exchange rates are often out of date.
Credit & debit cards: Visa, Diners Club and MasterCard are accepted in two hotels in Bamako. Cash advances on credit cards are available at only one bank in Mali, the BMCD Bank in Bamako, and only with a Visa credit card. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.
Travellers cheques: Can be exchanged at banks. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars or Euros.
Currency restrictions: The import and export of local currency is unlimited. The import and export of foreign currency is unlimited provided amounts exceeding CFAfr25,000 are declared.
Exchange rate indicators
The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the CFA Franc against Sterling and the US Dollar:
| Date | May ’02 | Aug ’02 | Nov ’02 | Feb ’03 | | $1.00= | 1035.90 | 1025.70 | 1038.27 | 966.15 | | £1.00= | 710.84 | 674.41 | 656.55 | 606.78 |
Banking hours: Mon-Thurs 0730-1200 and 1315-1500, Fri 0730-1230.
Duty Free
The following items may be imported into Mali without incurring customs duty:
1000 cigarettes or 250 cigars or 2kg of tobacco; a reasonable amount of alcoholic beverage; a reasonable amount of perfume (already opened) for personal use.
Note: (a) Cameras and films must be declared. An import permit is needed for sporting guns. Plants, except fruit and vegetables, need a certificate. (b) Authorisation from the National Museum in Bamako must be obtained when exporting certain Malian archaeological objects, particularly those from the Niger River Valley.
Public Holidays
Dec 6-8 2002 Korité (End of Ramadan). Dec 25 Christmas Day. Jan 1 2003 New Year’s Day. Jan 20 Armed Forces Day. Feb 12 Tabaski (Feast of the Sacrifice). Mar 26 Day of Democracy. Apr 21 Easter Monday. May 1 Labour Day. May 14 Mawloud (Prophet’s Birthday). May 25 Africa Day. Sep 22 Independence Day. Nov 26-28 Korité (End of Ramadan). Dec 25 Christmas Day. Jan 1 2004 New Year’s Day. Jan 20 Armed Forces Day. Feb 2 Tabaski (Feast of the Sacrifice). Mar 26 Day of Democracy. Apr 12 Easter Monday. May 1 Labour Day. May 2 Mawloud (Prophet’s Birthday). May 25 Africa Day. Sep 22 Independence Day. Nov 14-16 Korité (End of Ramadan). Dec 25 Christmas Day.
Note: Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Korité (Eid al-Fitr), Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Korité itself. Korité and Tabaski (Eid al-Adha) may last anything from two to ten days, depending on the region. For more information, see the World of Islam appendix.
Health
| | Special Precautions | Certificate Required | | Yellow Fever | Yes | 1 | | Cholera | Yes | 2 | | Typhoid and Polio | 3 | N/A | | Malaria | 4 | N/A |
1: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required by all travellers over one year of age arriving from all countries.
2: Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is not a condition of entry to Mali. However, cholera is a serious risk in this country and precautions are essential. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination, as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness. See the Health appendix for further information.
3: Typhoid is widespread and appropriate precautions should be taken. Polio is endemic.
4: Malaria, mainly in the malignant falciparum form, is present all year throughout the country. Resistance to chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine has been reported.
Food & drink: All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised, but make sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. Avoid dairy products which are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Pork, salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.
Other risks: Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present. Avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water. Swimming pools which are well chlorinated and maintained are safe. The following health risks have been reported from the area: many viral diseases (transmitted by mosquitoes, ticks and sandflies), meningococcal meningitis (particularly in the savannah areas and during the dry season), dysenteries, diarrhoeal diseases, diphtheria, tuberculosis, hepatitis A, B and E (all widespread) and trachoma. Rabies is also present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix.
Health care: Medical facilities are very limited and inadequate for dealing with emergencies. Health insurance (including adequate medical evacuation) is therefore essential. Many medicines are unavailable, and doctors and hospitals expect immediate cash payment for health care services.
Travel - International
AIR: Mali’s national airline is Air Mali (L9). Mali also has a share in the multinational airline, Air Afrique (RK). Airlines operating between Mali and Europe include Aeroflot and Air France. Air Afrique also operates flights between Mali and New York via Dakar (Senegal) or Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire). There are three weekly flights between Mali and Niger.
Approximate flight times: From Bamako to London is 11 hours (including stopover in Brussels or Paris).
International airports: Bamako (BKO) is 15km (9 miles) from the city (travel time – 20 minutes). A bus service into the city is available.
Departure tax: CFAfr10,000; for destinations in Africa CFAfr8000. Children under two years are exempt.
RAIL: There is a twice-weekly service from Bamako to Dakar (Senegal) which has air conditioning, sleeper facilities and restaurant cars (travel time – 35 hours). It will also carry cars. There are also plans to extend rail links into Guinea.
ROAD: The best road connections are from Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso. There are also road links with Senegal, Guinea, Niger and Mauritania. The all-weather road follows the Niger as far as Niamey (Niger). Travel via the Algerian border is currently considered dangerous and not recommended. Bus: Services operate from Kankan (Guinea) to Bamako, as well as from Bobo Dioulasso (Burkina Faso) to Ségou and Mopti, and Niamey (Niger) to Gao. From Côte d’Ivoire, there are three buses per week (travel time – at least 36 hours). From Niger, the national bus line SNTN operates three weekly buses to Mali.
Travel - Internal
AIR: Some domestic flights are provided by Air Mali. Light aircraft can also be chartered from the Société des Transports Aériens (STA).
Departure tax: CFAfr2500.
RIVER: Between July and December, there are weekly services between Bamako and Gao via Timbuktu along the River Niger. However, because of drought in the Sahel desert, services are sometimes suspended. The journey is approximately 1300km (800 miles) and takes five or six days. Between December and March, travel is only possible between Mopti and Gao. Food is available on the boats and first-class cabins can be booked in advance. Motorised and non-motorised pirogues and pinasses (types of river boat) are available for hire between Timbuktu and Mopti. Since the completion of the Manantali Dam in 1988, work has continued to improve the navigability of the River Senegal.
RAIL: There is a daily service from Bamako to Kayes, en route to Dakar on the Senegal coast. There are two trains, one Malian and one Senegalese – the Senegalese train is far superior, with air conditioning and buffet car. The railway line is Mali’s most important method of transport, over and above the road link. There is also a daily service from Bamako to Koulikoro.
ROAD: Traffic drives on the right. Roads in Mali range from moderate to very bad. The main road runs from Sikasso in the south to Bamako, and to Mopti and Gao. The roads from Bamako to Mopti, Douentza, Koutiala, Sikasso and Bougouni, along with a few other roads, are paved. Between Mopti and Gao travel can be difficult during the rainy season (mid-June to mid-September) when the Niger, at its confluence with the Bani, splits into a network of channels, and floods its banks to form the marshlands of the Macina. Stops at customs and police checkpoints are frequent on major roads and driving is particularly hazardous after dark. Bus: Services run between the main towns. Documentation: International Driving Permit recommended, although not legally required. Insurance and a carnet de passage are also needed.
Note: Visitors are advised to keep to the main roads, otherwise they should travel in convoy. Caution should be exercised when travelling at night. Visitors should be aware of the recent violent incidents which have occurred in northern Mali and the Mauritanian border.
URBAN: Taxi: Collective taxis in cities are very cheap. The taxis charge a standard fare regardless of the distance travelled. Tipping is not expected.
Accommodation
HOTELS: Only Bamako has hotels that meet international standards, but other main towns have hotels of an adequate standard and some have air conditioning. Accommodation tends to be expensive and difficult to obtain at short notice – advance booking is recommended. Further information can be obtained from the Office Malien du Tourisme et de l’Hôtellerie (see Contact Addresses section).
LODGES: There are a number of campements in the National Park of La Boucle du Baoule. The reserve is 120km (75 miles) from Bamako.
Introduction
BAMAKO: The capital is a modern town and the educational and cultural centre of Mali. The main places of interest are the markets, the Botanical Gardens, the Musée National, the zoo and the craft centre at the Maison des Artisans.
DJENNÉ: Known as the ‘Jewel of the Niger’, Djenné was founded in 1250. It has a beautiful mosque, the Grande Mosquée, and it is one of the oldest trading towns along the trans-Saharan caravan routes. Old Djenné is located about 5km (3 miles) from Djenné and was founded around 250BC. The town quickly developed into a market centre and important link in the trans-Saharan gold trade. In the 15th and 16th centuries, it became one of the spiritual centres for the dissemination of Islam. Nearly 2000 of its traditional houses, built on hillocks (toguere) and adapted to the seasonal floods, have survived. Old Djenné is today listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
MOPTI: The centre of Mali’s tourist industry, Mopti is located at the confluence of the Bani and the Niger and is built on three islands joined by dykes. There is another fine mosque here. The market in the town centre, Marché des Souvenirs, and the area surrounding the port are also worth visiting.
BANDIAGARA: Southeast of Mopti is the Bandiagara country, peopled by the Dogons, whose ancient beliefs have remained largely untouched by Islam. Visitors should treat villagers with respect. The Cliffs of Bandiagara have been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The Dogon people are believed to have been the original inhabitants of the Niger river valley and, for thousands of years, inhabited villages cut into the cliffs of the 200-kilometre (80-mile) long Bandiagara escarpment. Although most the Dogons have now relocated to the plains, the ancient villages on the cliffs are still standing.
TIMBUKTU: Timbuktu is a name that has passed into English vernacular as a byword for inaccessibility and remoteness. It is, however, neither of these things owing to the magnificent camel caravans (some of them comprising over 3000 animals) which arrive every year from the Taoudenni salt mines to distribute their produce throughout the Sahel. By the 15th century, Timbuktu was the centre of a lucrative trade in salt and gold, straddling the trans-Saharan caravan routes, as well as being a great centre of Islamic learning. Much of this ancient city is in decay, but it is the site of many beautiful mosques (Djingerebur, Sankore and Sidi Yahaya for example) and tombs, some dating back to the 14th century.
ELSEWHERE: Another ancient city which had its heyday in the 15th century is Gao. Gao houses the mosque of Kankan Moussa and the tombs of the Askia Dynasty. There are also two excellent markets. The city has recently undergone much urban development. San and Ségou are both interesting towns. The National Park of La Boucle de Baoule contains an array of southern Sahelian species of wildlife, including giraffe, leopard, lion, elephant, buffalo and hippo.
Sport & Activities
Trekking: A good area for trekking is the Bandiagara escarpment in the Dogon country, with Bandiagara, Bankass and Mopti being the main starting points for trekking trips. Guides are available and recommended; travellers should check that guides have an official identification card.
Social Profile
Food & Drink: Several of the hotels have restaurant and bar facilities of international standard, serving international cuisine, and most towns have small restaurants serving local and north African dishes. Hotel restaurants are open to non-residents. A particular Malian speciality is La Capitaine Sangha, a kind of Nile perch served with hot chilli sauce, whole fried bananas and rice. There is a limited choice of restaurants.
Alcohol is available in bars (with very late opening hours), but since the majority is Muslim, there is a good range of fresh fruit juices. Most people tend to drink fruit juice rather than alcohol. Malian tamarind and guava juices are delicious. A traditional drink is Malian tea which should be drunk in three stages; the first is very strong (‘as bitter as death’); the second is slightly sweetened (‘just like life’); the third is well sugared (‘as sweet as love’). Visitors to Mali may be invited to partake in this tea ritual.
Nightlife: Bamako has a good selection of nightclubs with music and dancing.
Shopping: Traditional crafts range from the striking masks of the Bambara, Dogon and Malinko peoples, to woodcarvings, original designs in ebony and bronze, woven cloth, and mats, gold and silver jewellery and copperware. Excellent pottery is made in the Ségou region, while Timbuktu is a good centre for iron and copper articles, including swords, daggers and traditional household utensils.
Social Conventions: Malians are hospitable people and will welcome visitors gracefully into their homes. Visitors must remember that this is a Muslim country and the religious customs and beliefs of the people should be respected. Modesty in dress, particularly for women, is essential. Photography: This is no longer restricted, except for military subjects. However, interpretation of what is considered off limits tends to vary. Other subjects may be considered sensitive from a cultural or religious point of view and it is advisable to obtain permission before taking photographs in Mali. Tipping: A ten per cent tip is customary in restaurants and bars, but is not normal for taxi drivers. Porters receive CFAfr100 per piece of luggage.
Business Profile
Economy: Mali is one of the poorest countries in the world with an average per capita annual income of about US$200. The economy is almost entirely agricultural even though less than two per cent of the land is cultivable. Livestock and subsistence crops such as millet, sorghum, maize and rice are raised for domestic consumption. The main cash crop is cotton, of which Mali is one of Africa’s largest producers and exporters, along with groundnuts, fruit and vegetables. Local manufacturing has grown steadily, albeit from a very low level, and is mostly concerned with the processing of agricultural produce: food, drinks and tobacco are the main products. Construction materials are also produced locally. There is a small but fast-growing mining sector centred on Mali’s recently discovered gold deposits. Mali is now the third largest gold producer in Africa after South Africa and Ghana, and the growth in this sector largely accounts for the country’s rapid 2002 growth rate of nine per cent. Marble, salt and phosphates are also being exploited; there are also known reserves of iron ore and uranium. Much of the economy has been privatised and deregulated since 1997 under the supervision of the IMF with which Mali presently enjoys good relations. Mali has also been one of the main beneficiaries of the debt cancellation for the poorest countries, and it continues to rely on foreign aid and remittances from émigrés. France is Mali’s major trading partner, providing a quarter of imports and taking a similar proportion of exports, followed by Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Germany and Switzerland. Mali is a member of ECOWAS and a variety of other West African multinational economic organisations.
Business: The forms of address are those of France, eg Monsieur le Directeur. Lightweight or tropical suit and tie are advised for only the smartest meetings. Otherwise, a light, open-neck shirt is worn. It is essential to be able to speak French for business purposes. Office hours: Mon-Thurs 0730-1230 and 1300-1600, Fri 0730-1230 and 1430-1730.
Commercial Information: The following organisation can offer advice: Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie du Mali, BP 46, place de la Liberté, Bamako (tel: 222 5036 or 222 9645; fax: 222 2120; e-mail: ccim@cefib.com).
Conferences/Conventions: Information can be obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Protocol Section), Kounoulba, Bamako (tel: 225 489; fax: 228 559 or 225 226).
Climate
Three main seasons which vary according to latitude. Rainy season runs between June and October, diminishing further north. The cooler season (October to February) is followed by extremely hot, dry weather until June.
Required clothing: Lightweight cottons and linens are worn throughout most of the year, though warmer clothing is needed between November and February. Waterproofing is advised during the rainy season.
History and Government
History: Once one of the great centres of Islamic culture and wealth, Mali (which is among the continent’s most ancient states outside of North Africa) owes much of its reputation to its situation as a major trading centre and to the tax that is levied on its trans-Saharan route. The Mali Empire reached its zenith under the rule of Mansa Musa in the early 14th century. Previously, it had been part of the empire of Ghana, which flourished between the seventh and 11th centuries based on the trade of gold from the interior for salt from the coastal regions. After the decline of the Mali Empire, the territory became part of the Songhai Empire which occupied an area covering parts of modern-day Guinea, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Nigeria. Songhai was brought to an end and its territory usurped by the Moroccan invasion of 1591. With the decline of the trans-Saharan trading routes, the area enjoyed little strategic importance and was divided into small kingdoms for the next two centuries until the arrival of French colonists. Mali was absorbed into French West Africa in 1895. In 1960, together with what is now Senegal, it achieved independence as the Federation of Mali, although Senegal seceded after a few weeks.
The first President of the resulting Republic of Mali was Modibo Keita, who severed ties with France and developed strong links with the USSR. In 1967, however, hyper-inflation forced Mali to rejoin the Franc Zone. In 1968, a military coup overthrew Keita and power was assumed by the Military Committee for National Liberation (CMLN) under Lieutenant (later General) Moussa Traoré. In 1976 Traoré formed the sole legal political party, the Union Démocratique du Peuple Malien (UDPM), and began a slow civilianisation of the administration. Frequent reshuffles and rapid personnel turnovers indicated the insecurity of the Traoré regime which was the target of several attempted coups during its 23-year term. It was finally brought down in March 1991.
Another army officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Amadou Toumani Touré, assumed power at the head of the Conseil National de Réconciliation (CNR). Under pressure from France, the new regime organised a national conference to discuss a new constitution and provisionally set down a framework for elections and the withdrawal of the army from politics early in 1992. The agreed schedule was met and presidential elections were held in April of that year. Among several political parties formed around this time, the strongest was the Alliance pour la Démocratie au Mali (ADEMA). Under the leadership of university professor Alpha Oumar Konaré, ADEMA dominated Malian politics for the next ten years: Konaré secured re-election in 1997 while ADEMA took firm control of the national assembly. The political environment was far from peaceful during the period of ADEMA rule. The country was beset by strikes, student protests and an almost unfathomable series of 'breakaways’ and alliances within the multitude of political parties, as well as a revolving door of prime ministers, few of whom lasted more than a year. There was also the Tuareg problem. The Tuareg are nomadic people whose traditional territory spans eastern Mali, western Niger and the northern part of Burkina Faso. In the early/mid-1990s, the Tuareg’s livestock-based economy collapsed, mainly due to chronic drought, and a series of disputes followed between them and the rest of the population over land use. Serious fighting broke out on several occasions; in one instance, Algerian mediation (a measure of its seriousness) was called upon to produce a settlement.
In 2002, after a decade in the political wilderness, Amadou Toumani Touré, the former army officer who had seized power in 1991, returned to office. Backed by a newly-formed political party, Espoir 2002, he won a comfortable victory at the June presidential poll while his supporters took control of the national assembly. French approval quickly became evident when the bulk of Mali’s debt to France was cancelled within months of the election.
Government: A new constitution allowing for presidential elections was introduced in 1992 and approved by a national referendum, after the overthrow of the military dictatorship by the Conseil National de Réconciliation. Executive power rests with the president who is elected for a five-year term. The president appoints a prime minister who, in turn, appoints a Council of Ministers. A 147-member National Assembly, also elected for five years, holds legislative powers.
Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.
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